The Arkansaw traveler., 1887-12-31
LITERARY METHODS.
Exchange.


 smokers, and there is little doubt that the smokers have it. Among them are not included the men of letters or journalists who smoke only before they write, or after they have finished. Such one is MT. Andrew Lang, who is such busy man nowadays that he would probably grudge the time spent in lighting his pipe occasionally. MT. Lang, says the Edinburgh Dts gdtch, does most of his work in the early part of the day, in which habit he resembles MT. Sala. Both get through an astonishing amount of work, twice as much certainly as they get credit for, yet they are often seen in society. MT. Sala is such an author ity on cooking-he has the largest li- brary on culinary matters in this country-that the country would be astonished could they sec him at his frugal breakfast, and still more frugal lunch He breakfasts we'll if he eats one egg, and lunches heavily if he has chop. It is acknowledged among literary men generally that the best work is done on the lightest food. Many of them make up for their ab- stemiousness in the early part of the day by an exhaustive and even ex- hausting late dinner, but not if they have to work after it. Several of the best known editors of great newspa- pers are such confirmed smokers that they fill and relight their pipes with out knowing it. I know one promi- nent editor who smokes cigars while he writeA This is unusual; indeed to smoke cigar and write at the same time requires great deal of practice. The editor referred to has also trick of sticking any pen nib that he sees lying about into his cigar, and when his staff see him approaching they conceal their pens.
 A great many literary men who are spoken of as resident in London do not really live there. Brighton, for in- stance, is the home of MT. Herbert Spencer, MT. William Black, MT. Ed mund Yates and many others. Though these writers, other things being equal, would prefer London, they find that their health is not only better in Brighton, but that they can do more work away from the roar of the me- metropolis. It is rather curious that the only two society papers of note in London should be edited by gentle men whose residence is outside it. Mrs. Oliphant lives on the Thames near Eton, and is understood nowa- days to be assisted in her literary la bors by her son. MT. Blackmore is among the writers who do not like to be driven and only care to write when in the vein. Consequently he pursues two callings, combining literature with market gardening.
 MT. Robert Louis Stevenson is like Descartes in this respect that he works out some of his best ideas in bed. Des- cartes kept to his bed on principle, but MT. Stevenson cannot always help himself According to an American reporter who recently interviewed him and found him on his couch smoking | a cigarette, this writer's "Dr. Jekyll | and MT. Hyde" was dreamt before it was written. If so, MT. Stevenson dreams to some purpose. Asa a matter of fact he only dreamt the continua- tion of story that had haunted his waking hours. He is an author who writes best with quiet surroundings, | and his house at Bournemouth, within | high walls, is in curious contrast to | the life and incident of his romances.
 A good story is told of Carlyle, which in this connection is not gener- ally known. When he was still a | young man he walked from Eccle- fechen to Edinburgh-a distance of more than eighty miles-to consult doctor about his health. The doctor asked if he smoked, and hearing that | he did, said that was what was wrong with him. Carlyle gave up smoking, and some time afterward he went for | q walk in wood. Here beneath 8 | tree he saw lying pipe with tobacco and matches. He at once remembered that the medical prescription had done him no good, and came to the | conclusion that the whole affair was providential. So he lit the pipe and never again give up smoking. Car lyle's walk in the wood reminds one that this was Trollope's favorite pre- scription for planning fresh novel. He held that once you were inside wood of which you could.no see the limits quietness come to you that was admirable for inventing. As he always tried Q wood himself when he could get 1t there Is doubtless some thing in this. Trollope's way Of work ing, however, was so methodioAl that he could plan a story and write 1t any- where. Others beside him have found it possible to beguile the voyage be- tween England and America, by writ ing, but he is the only author who isl known to have triumphed pver theI difaoaltiss of writing in ' railway train.s 2 sc yaa x spsNks @S# ST A ws$t